This cheesy pull-apart bread is the ultimate party appetizer—keep those napkins handy because you’re gonna want to keep going back for another piece!
Cheesy pull-apart bread. Stuff-so-many-pieces-in-yo’-mouth-so-fast-you-can’t-breathe bread.
Evil-genius bread. Mwahaha.
Guys, I’ve got super-exciting, unbelievably-awesome news.
We got new windows put into our living room/AKA: my makeshift photo studio.
Was that disappointing? Sorry, I thought that was a pretty awesome piece of news. And I gotta say I am LURVING all the totally-awesome light that comes into my photography studio. (read: the living room)
I mean, is it wrong that pretty much the only reason I’m excited about the new windows is all the perfect lighting that I get for my photos now?
The only reason I’m asking you guys this is because my mom just shook her head in disgust when I was chattering away to her for about 10 minutes straight about how much I loved the new windows for this particular reason.
She (and I for that matter) hated the old windows with a passion. They were literally crumbling apart and I think they were older than my great-great-great grandparents.
It was totally worth giving up my studio for just a day so’s the workers could install those gorgeous new windows.
And it was pretty satisfying watching them smash those old and decrepit windows into a gazillion pieces.
Okay, now that we’ve established that I have pretty much NO life whatsoever, let’s get back to the carbs shall we?
Clearly, the important stuff. 🙂
I’ve been hiding this exalted bread from you guys for probably over a year now. Yes, I know. I’m so selfish and greedy. — But it’s not my fault! I make this bread so often, it hardly even crossed my mind to share the recipe on my blog up until a few months ago.
And then I put it off…and put it off….and put it off.
And I’m ashamed to admit that the reason was because I had no patience to take pictures. I just wanted to eat the entire loaf the second it came outta the oven.
You can hardly blame me, though. This bread is the epitome of softness and chewiness…each glorious bite is filled with buttery garlic and gooey cheddar cheese and it makes you want to swoon.
Splat. Down goes Sarah.
How I made it through this photoshoot without passing out from cheesy bread-lust I don’t even know…
But I did and I’m FINALLY sharing this long-awaited bread with you guys. Just in time for tailgating bashes, Sunday football parties, warm and cozy comfort food-season….
Gahhh. YES. The timing is just perfect-o. I couldn’t have planned it better if I’d tried. 😉
So this is basically just a super-simple, 5-ingredient french bread, except the last steps are anything but plain and simple. Once your bread is baked….then the fun begins.
The garlic-buttery, cheesy fun.
You’ll brush those golden loaves with tons of garlic-buttery goodness….cut little indentions in the bread and fill with tons of glorious cheese…
Just a quick trip back to the oven for 5 minutes aaaaand…
Belissimo! Your life has now been completed.
This bread has quickly become a Friday-night must around here. Alongside the usual roast chicken and mashed potatoes, we usually stuff our faces with piece after evil piece of this bread.
My family has dubbed it “that good cheesy bread.”
I’ve dubbed it “put ‘yo fat pants on bread.”
And put your fat pants on, you must. Because otherwise….well, unless you’ve got a massive amount of self-control. And in that case I applaud your efforts.
Because NOBODY I’ve served this bread to so far was able to resist at least two pieces.
Me? I’m patting myself on the back for thus far not eating an entire loaf by myself. 😀
The day is coming though, I can feel it. My self-control can only go so far.
So a word of advice: DO NOT make this bread unless you’ve got other people around you to help you out with the finished product.
I call that the golden rule of bread-making. 😉
Oh, cheesy goodness…have mercy on a poor gal…
This bread is evil, guys. And I insist that you try it. 😉
HAPPY FRIDAY. ♥
- BREAD:
- 1 pkg (2-1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (120F)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups white whole wheat flour
- FILLING:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
- 12 slices cheddar cheese
- Prepare the bread: In a stand mixer, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Mix in honey, salt, and flour on low speed until mixture forms a dough. Continue mixing until dough pulls away from sides of bowl.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1-1/2 hours)
- Punch risen dough down and divide into two pieces. Shape each half into a long french bread-roll and gently twist. Place rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise 30 minutes or until doubled.
- Bake bread at 350F 20 minutes. While bread is baking, prepare the filling: Place butter, garlic, and parsley in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until garlic is fragrant and butter is melted.
- Remove bread from oven and brush half of melted butter mixture over each loaf. Return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.
- Once bread has cooled 5 minutes, carefully cut 6 4-in indentions in each loaf. Fill indentions with sliced cheese and brush each with loaf with remaining butter mixture
- Return bread to oven and bake for a final 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Let bread cool 5 minutes then serve warm.
Recipe slightly adapted from Lauren’s Latest.
This looks really delicious! Perfect timing for this time of year! I love all the cheesiness stuffed inside!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating recently posted…Easy Creamed Spinach – Vegan, Gluten Free.
Thank Kelly! Easy, cheesy comfort foods = Absolute must this time of year. 😉
So jealous you got new windows! Our windows are ancient too. They’re horrible at insulating. I’m nervous for winter because I just know they’re going to let all the cold air in. Glad it’s given you better lighting!
This bread is SUCH a good idea! The cheesier the better, right?
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Five Things for Friday
Thanks so much Nat! Have a great weekend, friend!
Yay to new windows and cheesy garlic bread! The things we get excited about…myself included. 🙂
Have a great weekend, girl!
Hahaha totally agree, Melanie! It doesn’t take much to get food bloggers excited. 😀 You have a great weekend too, friend!
This might have been in the post but I missed it because I was drooling over all these pictures, but can you make this with a pre made loaf of bread?? Because yeast scares me.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape recently posted…What I’m Loving Friday
Yep! You can totally make any bread into hasselback bread. Just follow the instructions in my recipe 5-8.
Garlic bread is my weakness, but throw in tons of cheese and I’m gone. I think I would have such a hard time not eating the entire loaf! Love this bread, Sarah!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Writing Process Blog Tour
Thanks Gayle! I can tell you firsthand it’s extremely difficult not to eat the entire loaf. 😉
Yay for new windows and better lighting! This garlic bread is screaming for me to eat it. All of that gooey cheese take this bread right over the top. Swoon!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Maple Bacon Chocolate Donuts
Thanks so much, Jen! Definitely set the weekend off to a good start. 🙂
Windows and natural light?! The BEST! And this cheesy pull-apart bread looks freaking amazing!! Pinned and LOVE!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Baked Veggie Taquitos
Thanks so much for pinning, Alice! Have a good weekend, girl!
Love this hasselback bread! It’s looks amazing and sounds absolutely divine! Loving all the oozy cheese on the outside, gorgeous!
Thanks so much Jess! 🙂
Wow that cheese looks soooooo delicious Sarah! This bread definitely sounds evil, in that yummy, tasty, melty cheese way 🙂 Congrats on the new windows! Great lighting is definitely something to be excited about 🙂
Karen – 2Teaspoons recently posted…Sausage Sage Stuffed Acorn Squash
Haha definitely the best kinda evil right there. 😉 Thanks Karen!
My only problem with this bread is that I would eat the whole thing before I could get a chance to share it with others. Cheesy bread is my weakness! Pinning 🙂
Danielle recently posted…Crockpot Apple Butter
That’s a problem how…? 😀 Only for the people around you! LOL. Thanks for pinning, Danielle!
Sarah, this looks AWESOME! Loving that gif at the bottom—so cheesy!
And I’d be thrilled about new windows, too! Anything that adds good picture-taking light is super exciting to me 😀
Rachael | Spache the Spatula recently posted…Pumpkin Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Walnuts and Maple Syrup
Thanks Rachael! And right?! Good lighting is something to be excited about. 😉
This looks dangerously delicious… yum! I wouldn’t be able to resist fewer than two pieces either 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…XL Solo Pumpkin Butter Cup
Thanks Medha! Totally addicting but in a good way for sure! 😉
I get totally excited about windows also, so you are NOT alone!
I am also pretty excited about this cheesy bread situation. Want IN MAH BELLY.
Joanne recently posted…Scotcheroo Spiders
Thanks Joanne! This bread is SO up your alley, girl. 😉
What a beautiful bread! Pinned!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Rajma Masala – Kidney Beans Curry
Thank you for pinning, Manali!
Woohooo for new windows and more natural light!!! I would totally be jumping up and down over the windows and this gorgeous bread! Especially with all that ooey gooey cheese – evil but so delicious 🙂
I kinda was. Jumping up and down with joy that is. LOL. Thanks Kelly!
This bread is amazing! I love the “action” shot!! That is awesome that you got new windows, though honestly I have always thought your pics are bright and gorgeous anyway!!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen recently posted…Marble Frosted Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
Awww. You’re too sweet Renee! Thanks so much friend! 😀
Bless your heart, angel, this looks yummy.